Question

Excerpt from Wuthering Heights

Emily Brontë

1 I sympathized awhile; but when the children fell ill of the measles, and I had to tend them, and take on me the cares of a woman at once, I changed my ideas. Heathcliff was dangerously sick; and while he lay at the worst he would have me constantly by his pillow; I suppose he felt I did a good deal for him, and he hadn’t the wit to guess that I was compelled to do it. However, I will say this, he was the quietest child that ever nurse watched over. The difference between him and the others forced me to be less partial. Cathy and her brother harassed me terribly; he was as uncomplaining as a lamb; though hardness, not gentleness, made him give little trouble.
Which word in paragraph 1 shows that the speaker did not have a choice in caring for the sick children?

A) compelled
B) partial
C) sympathized
D) uncomplaining

Answer 1

A) compelled

Step-by-step explanation:

The definition of compel is "to force or oblige someone to do something". The speaker says she was "compelled" to help Heathcliff; he hasn't the wit, or is not smart enough to think she was helping him because she wanted too, but in reality, she didn't have a choice, she was forced to.

Answer 2

Compelled because it means the person was “made” to do it. Not willingly.